TVS Future

Report in MCN today states that the TVS ‘new for old‘ swap on V4s has been retracted staing the information provided was innacurate!
 
I'd love to see a big long stroke single again, if you look at the way the trend is going with ADV bikes at the moment there's a bit of a backlash against the big bikes speaking from experience having had a 1200gsa te, f800gs an a 1000xt I've much preferred using lighter kit for adv riding I've actually been looking at Himalayans a fair bit since they came out so with the pedigree Norton had with singles back in the day I'd love to see a new big4 as someone else mentioned a nice simple to work on bike with a great chassis would be so good do a retro adv styled affordable 125 as well lots of people my age seem to be buying the modern Bonnies. It would standout a bit as a comparison a nice Norton single to the Himalayan give it decent ground clearance get it as light as possible that'd appeal to me an I'm probably one of the younger riders.
 
Another step backwards it seems, no V4, no Atlas models, no 961, and nothing on the horizon it seems.
Looks like they just get off on sending threatening letters from TM solicitors, to those clubs globally that could promote their bikes in the future, nice way to start out, not. So no bikes, no news, threatening letters to all and sundry, for what reason would I buy a bike from these chumps who own a TM whose history they nothing about.
Wouldn't be surprised if we don't see any bikes from them in the future. So come on TVS, what is the future, maybe someone young and fresh could explain not some old harley retiree wearing rose tinted goggles.
As per the OP, this announcement was actually old news, it was in the Indian press back in May, seems they like a UK factory, but don't have the minerals to make announcements in the UK press. Says it all really.
 
So, no V4… No 650s… No 961… doesn’t leave much in the cupboard does it?
Maybe they have just bought the name to stick on some ‘retro’d up’ existimg TVS platform after all. I certainly hope not though.
 
norton_rider said:
I'd love to see a big long stroke single again, if you look at the way the trend is going with ADV bikes at the moment there's a bit of a backlash against the big bikes speaking from experience having had a 1200gsa te, f800gs an a 1000xt I've much preferred using lighter kit for adv riding I've actually been looking at Himalayans a fair bit since they came out so with the pedigree Norton had with singles back in the day I'd love to see a new big4 as someone else mentioned a nice simple to work on bike with a great chassis would be so good do a retro adv styled affordable 125 as well lots of people my age seem to be buying the modern Bonnies. It would standout a bit as a comparison a nice Norton single to the Himalayan give it decent ground clearance get it as light as possible that'd appeal to me an I'm probably one of the younger riders.
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Take a look at the Honda CT125 if you want a trail 125. Mine will on the road tomorrow.
 
Fast Eddie said:
So, no V4… No 650s… No 961… doesn’t leave much in the cupboard does it?
Maybe they have just bought the name to stick on some ‘retro’d up’ existimg TVS platform after all. I certainly hope not though.
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Why no V4 ? They have certainly announced they will be producing more. Also the 650s haven't been cancelled. Maybe give them a chance to get up and running before writing them off
 
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Sadly the V4 disaster is going to hang over them even if not their fault. The faults too extreme to pick up the bill and gain some excellent PR in the process. If they can distance themselves from this successfully, why not just a re-engineered commando range, surely worldwide sales, make in Britain and as reliable as the big bike producers with a supported dealer network. Get that right and then introduce another retro bike or new scrambler
 
Welshrugby said:
....why not just a re-engineered commando range, surely worldwide sales, make in Britain and as reliable as the big bike producers with a supported dealer network. Get that right and then introduce another retro bike or new scrambler
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From your lips to God's ears.
 
Norton588 said:
Why no V4 ? They have certainly announced they will be producing more. Also the 650s haven't been cancelled. Maybe give them a chance to get up and running before writing them off
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There’ll be no V4 in its current format, it’ll be a different bike if they do proceed, that is evident from their comments that the current bike is not reparable! Ditto the 650s, they have been ‘postponed indefinitely‘. And they’ve just made the final 40 961s.

So, if these bikes aren’t viable as they stand… they have nothing in the cupboard. They bought a company with three ‘going concern’ platforms. As things stand, they have none !
 
cliffa said:
A heavily disguised prototype undergoes tests at a secret location near Birmingham..
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So do you think it'll be compliant for Birmingham's Low Emission Zone?


It's amazing how even non bikers who couldn't tell the difference between an MV and an MZ still comment on how good the 961 looks: to my mind the design with the name is the biggest (only?) asset the company has. So do you reproduce it in a low-cost Enfield form or keep it as a premium product with an appropriate power plant? What about something that stands apart from the herd like a modern rotary?
 
gchoppin said:
I think they're turning their back on the 961 will prove to be a disaster. Norton not making a commando is like Frenchs not making mustard or McDonald not making burgers. It is who they are.....or were.
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They aren't turning their backs on the 961, Garner sold manufacturing rights to a Chinese company. Also there is absolutely nothing to say they won't be making Commandos. They have a new interim factory, I think they intend making bikes, give them a chance lol
 
Fast Eddie said:
There’ll be no V4 in its current format, it’ll be a different bike if they do proceed, that is evident from their comments that the current bike is not reparable! Ditto the 650s, they have been ‘postponed indefinitely‘. And they’ve just made the final 40 961s.

So, if these bikes aren’t viable as they stand… they have nothing in the cupboard. They bought a company with three ‘going concern’ platforms. As things stand, they have none !
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Norton have announced a heavily revised V4 which could start production the end of the year, that also opens the door for the 650 twins.
 
Norton588 said:
They aren't turning their backs on the 961, Garner sold manufacturing rights to a Chinese company. Also there is absolutely nothing to say they won't be making Commandos. They have a new interim factory, I think they intend making bikes, give them a chance lol
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The would need to pay the Chinese company a licence fee, that would surely grate the nerves after spending all that money. Not sure, other than the TM, what they actually bought and if all these designs (with the notable exception of Kenny Deer's 961) are so bad why is Skinner still on the payroll.
 
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kommando said:
The would need to pay the Chinese company a licence fee, that would surely grate the nerves after spending all that money. Not sure, other than the TM, what they actually bought and if all these designs (with the notable exception of Kenny Deer's 961) are so bad why is Skinner still on the payroll.
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None of us know the situation and human nature means we just fill in the gaps ourselves, they obviously bought enough to make it viable for them. A lot of the issues don't seem to be the designs but cutting corners in production. I can only assume he is still on the payroll because he is a very talented designer.
 
Norton588 said:
Norton have announced a heavily revised V4 which could start production the end of the year, that also opens the door for the 650 twins.
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We seem to be talking at cross purposes. I’m not blaming TVS, on the contrary really, I feel sorry for them as I think they got truly shafted (AKA Garnered). They bought a company with 3 ‘ready to go’ motorcyle platforms, yet here they are, many months into their ownership and they have zero. In fact the only ‘progress’ seems to be them finding even more problems!

So, they’re gonna have to start again with the designs it seems. Therefore, if they’re starting with new designs, it really seems that all they bought was a name with sketchy TM provenance. Oh, and a big headache caused by the old companies designs of which they had not part in!

I sincerely hope they proceed and succeed, there’s a lot of value (PR etc) in a V4 type flagship bike. And the 650s were very well received by public opinion, and should sell well.

But if their press releases are true, and they’re having to virtually re engineer the entire bikes (V4 and 650s) then there’s no way they’ll be on sale this year…
 
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I wonder whether someone who claimed to have designed the bikes in house still has a job?
 
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